Religious Education Program Overview

Summer RE 2015 - Calling all witches and wizards…please join us this summer for a fun filled Harry Potter themed summer program. The first session will begin on July 5th where everyone will be sorted into their houses and receive their wands. From there we will meet weekly and will go on to explore topics such as Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Care of Magical Creatures and even Quidditch! Each session will be 1 hour long from 10:30-11:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall. All ages will meet together downstairs at the beginning of the worship hour. We hope to see you at one or all of our sessions. Closing feast will be on August 30th. For additional information, please contact the DRE.

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As Unitarian Universalists, we strive to engage in a “free and responsible search for truth and meaning”. A key purpose of our religious education program is to provide a framework for our children as they begin their path of lifespan faith development, since their search for meaning will evolve and grow throughout their lives.

Our Philosophy of Religious Education

Our goal is to help our youth:

Gain respect and appreciation for themselves, others, all living things and the environment;

Become integral parts of our Meeting House family;

Develop an awareness of, and appreciation for, our Judeo-Christian heritage and other world religions that influence the formation of our religious beliefs;

Experience the joy and inspiration of music and the arts;

Become responsible persons who are able to make ethical decisions in which they show their care and concern for all humanity.

We welcome all children, including those with special needs, and will make every effort to accommodate all children in our program.

USH RE Curriculum Task Force

What Our Children Learn

Our children are taught to think for themselves, while receiving guidance on moral and ethical behavior. We allow their individual beliefs to unfold without any dogma. Our children will learn that all big religious questions have many answers, and that it is their duty to search responsibly for their own answers. Ultimately, we want our children to become mature adults who make their own decisions about what to believe and how to live.

Our religious education program strives to give children the necessary foundation for this lifelong task by focusing on the seven Unitarian Universalist principals in an age appropriate fashion.

As UU’s, we believe:

Each person is important;

Be kind in all you do;

We’re free to learn together;

And search for what is true;

All people need a voice;

Build a fair and peaceful world;

We care for Earth’s lifeboat.

How Our Children are Taught

The seven principles are taught using a variety of methods based in the sources of our beliefs. These include, but are not limited to:

Fostering a continuing sense of wonder using art, science, and social justice projects;

Learning about heroes and heroines from UU history and other historical and religious figures who were dedicated to living fair and just lives;

Discovering the ethical and spiritual wisdom of the world’s religions, including our Judeo-Christian heritage;

Encouraging the use of logic and reason to discern the answers to life’s questions;

Promoting practices that are in harmony with nature, the environment, and the sacred circle of life.

The Role of the Parent in Religious Education

Parents are the primary religious educators in their children’s lives. Children learn values from their parents. They can help their children learn the importance of religious education by facilitating regular attendance, showing an interest in what happens each week, and volunteering their own time to the program.

Our program is cooperative, and parents are an integral part of every aspect from curriculum development through chaperoning field trips. Every adult’s unique skill set is a blessing to our children. Parents are expected to volunteer for a variety of helping roles during their child’s religious education experience. The members of the Religious Education Sub-Council and the Director of Religious Education will assist each parent in determining which roles will best suit them during each school year.

The Role of the Congregation in Religious Education

One of the primary roles of the Religious Education program is to help families become integrated into the life of the congregation. It is the responsibility of each congregation member to be welcoming to families and children, and to act in accordance with the role of spiritual companions for adults and children alike. Enthusiastic participation in intergenerational services and other family events, support for appropriate child care during church events, and consideration of the needs and rights of children when creating policy and protocol are just a few of the responsibilities of the adults in the congregation.